There are tools for almost everything for cars. DIY mechanics can do 80 per cent of their vehicle repairs as long as they have the right tools. Knowing which tool you will need can save you lots of money and time during repairs. Here are some of the most basic and essential tools that you should buy today.

Torque wrench

Adjustable wrenches tighten bolts and nuts. These tools are considered as the most precise equipment for the car and you may choose from torque, clicking, and adjustable varieties. The clutch mechanism of the torque wrench has a range of 100 feet or more whenever you apply the right amount of pressure upon the fasteners. Read more about other basic tools right here.

Screwdriver set

A set of screwdrivers comes handy and makes life easier whenever you are repairing your car. Opt for magnetic heads as these screws are easier to extract from tight spaces.

A hammer set

Although you may not find use for a hammer often, every once in a while however, you may want to repair the metal body of your vehicle. In case you see slight bumps on the body of your car, you may use an auto hammer set which also comes with a rubber mallet. This tool is excellent for dent smoothing. To view more essential tools, take a look at this website .

Hydraulic jack

This is another essential tool for lifting a car off the ground. Every car owner should have a hydraulic jack in their vehicle. Be sure to select the right jack for the weight of your vehicle as this tool must be able to handle the load. Secondly, check whether the jack’s arm is long enough to reach the frame of the vehicle vertically. It is best to choose long-frame jacks that can also reach the vehicle horizontally.

Car repair is a full-time job for some and a weekend hobby for others. If you find that you are intrigued by the inner and outer workings of any vehicle, it may be a good idea to consider this challenge. In fact, many enthusiasts will begin to transform their garage into a well-equipped repair centre. While it is only logical that a good deal of experience is needed to undertake some of these tasks, you will also need to purchase some basic and yet essential items. Let’s take a closer look.

Ratchet Sets

The typical ratchet set is perhaps the single most powerful resource in terms of car repair. As both standard and metric sizes are available, it is quite easy to tackle even the most stubborn of nuts and bolts. Other accessories include extension arms, sockets designed specifically for spark plugs and even pneumatically powered units. Be certain to examine comprehensive third-party reviews before choosing the most appropriate set.

Engine Guides

Engines are extremely complicated and deserve their fair share of respect. Even the most experienced of mechanics will consult the appropriate engine guide from time to time. These will break down internal components into their basic parts through clear graphical displays. Thanks to modern technology, it is now quite common to either download and print these pictures or to keep a laptop nearby for quick and easy access. The last thing you want to experience is to service an engine and realise that there are “extra” parts upon completion!

All About the Details…

Getting down and dirty is a great deal of fun, but aesthetics are also very important. If you are like most car enthusiasts, the chances are quite high that you will spend a good amount of time cleaning, buffing and polishing. So, maintaining one of these kits nearby is a necessity. Basic ingredients can include (but are not limited to) wax, terry cloths, rubbing compound and fine-grit sandpaper. A car should always be as beautiful on the outside as it is functional on the inside.This is a fun and rewarding hobby for countless individuals from around the world. With a bit of preparation, you may very well encounter a lifelong passion!

Personal vehicles are complex machines, and if you own one you need to take care of it. Even if you aren’t mechanically inclined, there are simple things you can do to help keep your vehicle in peak condition. Knowing how to preform these simpler maintenance tasks not only saves you money, but knowing can get you out of troublesome situations as well. Not having to rely on professionals to fix your own vehicle for simply fixed problems can give tremendous peace of mind.

Tire Change

The simplest thing that you should know how to do to your car is change a tire. Your car comes with a spare tire and all the tools necessary, so it’s not a matter of not having the tools you need. As well, most of the time tire problems happen while on the road in inconvenient locations. To change your tire, first find the spare tire, the screw jack, the tire iron and the jack crank. You will want to fit the jack close to the offending tire and crank up until the weight starts to be lifted from the tire. Once the weight has been lifted a little off of the tire loosen the lug nuts with the tire iron, then lift the tire all the way off the ground and remove lug nuts and tire. Put the spare on with the reverse process.Detailed steps can be found here: http://www.wikihow.com/Change-a-Tire

Oil Change

Changing your engine oil is the single most important piece of maintenance that you can do for your car and being able to do it yourself will save you money. You will need a new oil filter, new oil (check your manual for the recommended weight), a pan to catch the old oil and an oil filter wrench. Check you manual for your oil filter location, but most models place the filter under the car. it’s advisable to run the car for a while to heat the oil up, thus making it run a little better. Make sure the vehicle is shut off before draining the old oil, however! Find the oil pan and drain the old oil into a catch pan by removing the stopper. Remove the old oil filter with the oil filter wrench. Fill the new filter with new oil and hand tighten the filter. Using an oil filter wrench is overkill, you’ll likely damage your new filter that way. make sure the oil pan plug is secure before filling the vehicle up with new oil. Turn on the engine and check for leaks.Detailed steps can be found here: http://www.wikihow.com/Change-the-Oil-in-Your-Car

When you car has problems it is very tempting to try and save money by trying to fix the problem yourself, especially if you have a bit of mechanical knowledge. However, some problems need to be looked at by professional mechanics or the problem could become much worse. Here are three common car problems that should be left to professional mechanics:

1. Overheating

If you notice that your engine is beginning to overheat, the obvious thing to do is to switch the engine off and wait for it to cool down. If the overheating has already caused damage to the engine then you need to take it to the garage; the risk of things going wrong and making the problem much more expensive to fix is too great.

2. Diagnostics

There is nothing more annoying than happily driving along and noticing a warning sign light up on your dashboard; often the ‘engine warning light’. Even if your car appears to be working perfectly well it is a good idea to get it checked out by mechanics with a diagnostic tool specific to your make of car. These are very expensive and it would not be cost-effective to buy one for home use.

3. Suspension Problems

At first glance, suspension components look like they would be quite straightforward to take out and replace and the actual parts are quite cheap. However, many people have found to their cost that this is not the case. They need to be taken out and replaced in a certain order and any error could seriously destabilize the engine and entire car. Not to mention the fact that tightly coiled springs are extremely dangerous.

If you are already a skilled auto-mechanic with a passion for the job and an entrepreneurial mind, setting up your own automobile repair shop can be a dream come true. The number of drivers in the streets is growing steadily, and buying a car second hand is on the rise due to the recent economic stagnation around the globe, which means there is a lot of work for you out there. Here is how to get things going.

Make a plan

No matter how good you are, you have to have a very concrete plan about the goals and milestones ahead of your business, your financial backing (own capital, bank loan, or another source), and the size and scope of your operations. Scan your preferred area for favourable locations, get quotes from builders, and get acquainted with the fees setting up shop entails.

Register your business

Before you take any action, make sure your personal assets are protected. This is best done by registering a Limited Liability Company (LLC) and guarantees that in the unfortunate event of bankruptcy, your shop does not drag you in the red as well. Additionally, entrepreneurs enjoy a range of financial benefits and breaks meant to help them get their business ideas off the ground, so make sure to get informed once you register! While you are at it, make sure you know which government agency regulates your line of business and obtain the appropriate licenses and permits before you go into operation.

Choose your location

Try to set up shop as close to a residential area as possible to minimise the distance between your business and its potential customers. The more visible your automobile repair shop is to drivers and pedestrians passing by, the better. Work with an experienced local contractor to build an attractive-looking and functional garage which will add to your business’ appeal. If possible, consult colleagues you trust who have already gone your way and might have useful contractor contacts and tips.

Gear up

Even if you are on a tight budget, you cannot save on gear: it is the one business asset which guarantees quality service and worker safety. While it makes sense to buy some of the heavy machinery used, make sure all fixed equipment (car lifts, pneumatic lines, air compressors) is in perfect working order and also looks clean and well-maintained. Do not shy away from new equipment, either: schlepping cars into and about your garage becomes easier with car movers. Keeping up with such innovations will increase your street credit, too.